Tabitha Crane, Chapter I: Intervention
_Who's gonna throw the very first stone?_ _Oh! Who's gonna reset the bone?_ _(Arcade Fire)_ * * * "I can't believe we're having this conversation again, Tabitha," my father grumbled. "It's been, what, a week since your last write-up? This can't...
The Long, Cold Dark, Chapter I: Cliquot
But what melody will lead my lover from his bed? What melody will see him in my arms again? _(Beirut)_ * * * Vodka really _is_ the water of life. Isn't that what they say that word means? _?????._Countless distilleries had perfected their recipes...
Tabitha Crane, Chapter XII: It's the End of the World as We Know It
_The other night I dreamt of knives, continental drift divide_ _Mountains sit in a line_ _LEONARD BERNSTEIN!_ _(R.E.M.)_ * * * I found Roger, as was customary these days, sprawled on his stomach across the futon in the center of the living room....
Tabitha Crane, Chapter III: Neighborhood #2 (Laïka)
_When daddy comes home, you always start a fight_ _So the neighbors can dance in the police disco lights_ _(Arcade Fire)_ * * * I saw the little mink leaning against a tree, running a hand through his hair nervously as I arrived in Haverford Park a...
Tabitha Crane, Chapter IV: Mystery Dance
_Well, I remember when the lights went out_ _And I was tryin' to make it look like it was never in doubt_ _She thought that I knew, and I thought that she knew_ _So both of us were willing, but we didn't know what to do_ _(Elvis Costello)_ * *...
Ties That Bind, Chapter III: Crystalised
The heavyset beaver didn't even give the papers I laid on the desk the courtesy of a cursory glance. "No. And that's my final answer," he said flatly. "Please. I've been to every other firm in the city. You're my last chance. At least _look_at her...
Breaking Point, Chapter I: Hyperballad
_I go through all this_ _Before you wake up_ _So I can feel happier_ _To be safe again with you_ _(Björk)_ * * * "Tell me, how do you feel?" My fingers balled into a fist, digging into the soft earth. I swear, if he asked me that_one more...
Tabitha Crane, Chapter II: Rumour Has It
_All these words whispered in my ear_ _Tell a story that I cannot bear to hear_ _(Adele)_ * * * The television was blasting _Cops_ when I got home. Huh. They must have been showing women's basketball or something like that on SportsNet. Then again,...
Tabitha Crane, Chapter VIII: The World at Large
_I like songs about drifters, books about the same_ _They both seem to make me feel a little less insane_ _Walked on off to another spot_ _I still haven't gotten any anywhere that I want_ _(Modest Mouse)_ * * * "This is _not_ ideal," I...
Maelstrom, Chapter I: Welcome Home
Ships are launching from my chest Some have names but most do not If you find one, please, let me know what piece I've lost (_Radical Face_) * * * "What in the flying fuck is going on here?" I asked for at least the umpteenth time that hour. It...
Tabitha Crane, Chapter XI: Grapevine Fires
_And the news reports on the radio said it was getting worse_ _As the ocean air fanned the flames_ _But I couldn't think of anywhere I'd rather be_ _To watch it all burn away_ _(Death Cab for Cutie)_ * * * Whoever designed the ventilation of...
Tabitha Crane, Chapter VII: To Build A Home
_By the cracks of its skin I climbed to the top_ _I climbed the tree to see the world_ _When the gusts came around to blow me down_ _Held on as tightly as you held on me_ _(The Cinematic Orchestra)_ * * * I considered myself a pretty stealthy...